Environmental Science and Economic Concepts

Climate Calculations

• To calculate total yearly precipitation, add the precipitation for each month.
• To calculate average annual temperature, sum all monthly temperatures and divide by 12.
• To find the temperature range, subtract the lowest temperature from the highest temperature.
• To determine the snowfall equivalent, multiply the total precipitation for months with temperatures of 0°C or below by 10.
• To analyze seasonal precipitation distribution, separate "winter" (January, February, March, October, November, December) and "summer" (April, May, June, July, August, September) precipitation totals.
• To determine growing season length, count the days for each month with a temperature of 6°C or above, and sum those days.

Determining Climate Types

• Maritime Climate:
  • Temperature range below 25°C.
  • Total precipitation above 1000 mm.
  • Winter precipitation higher than summer precipitation.
• Continental Climate:
  • Temperature range above 25°C.
  • Total precipitation below 1000mm.
  • Summer precipitation higher than winter precipitation.

Structure of the Earth

• Lithosphere (Crust): The rigid outer layer of the Earth.
• Mesosphere (Mantle): Layer between the crust and core, solid rock that flows slowly.
• Centrosphere (Core): Innermost layer, comprised of iron and nickel.

Tectonic Plates Theory

• Plate tectonics explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.
• Convection currents in the Earth's core cause plate movement.
• Continental drift describes the movement of continents over time.
• Pangaea was a supercontinent where all continents were joined.
• Transform: Plates slide past each other.
• Divergence: Plates move apart.
• Convergence: Plates move towards each other.
• Folding: Bending of rock layers.
• Faulting: Fracturing of rock layers.
• Subduction: One plate going under another (creates volcanoes and earthquakes).

Glaciation and Landforms

• Glaciation is the process of ice sheet formation and expansion.
• Alpine glaciers are in mountains.
• Continental glaciers cover large portions of continents.
• Weathering breaks down rocks.
• Erosion removes soil and rock.
• Deposition places sediment in a new location.
• Drumlins are glacial-shaped mountains.
• Moraines are ridges of sediment.
• Cirques are bowl-shaped mountain valleys.
• Till plains are fertile, flat lands made by glaciers.
• Erratics are large rocks moved by glaciers.
• Kettle lakes are holes filled with water by melting glaciers.
• Striations are scratches on rock caused by glaciers.

The Rock Cycle

• Processes of cooling, heating, erosion, weathering, and deposition form the rock cycle.
• Shows how magma cools to form igneous rock.
• Igneous rock can change to metamorphic rock with heat and pressure.
• Metamorphic rock can form sedimentary rock when weathered and deposited.
• Sedimentary rock can change back to magma when it is heated and compressed.

Landform Regions

• Innuitian Mountains: A mountain range in Canada's Arctic territories.
• Hudson Bay-Arctic Lowlands: A series of islands in Canada.
• Western Cordillera: Includes Rocky Mountains, Columbia Mountains, Interior Plateau, and Coast Mountains.
• Interior Plains: Area between mountain ranges, excellent farmland (e.g., Okanagan Valley).

Factors Influencing Climate (LOWERN)

• Latitude: Places near the equator are warmer; places near the poles are colder.
• Ocean Currents: Warm currents warm nearby land; cold currents cool nearby land.
• Wind/Air Masses: Wind patterns and air masses transport moisture and temperature.
• Elevation: Higher elevations are colder.
• Relief Rainfall: Windward side of mountains receives more rainfall than leeward side.

Sustainable Resource Management

• Intensive farming: Small areas of land with high labor and is located near urban centers.
• Extensive farming: Large areas of land with low labor and products are exported.
• Sustainable agriculture: Natural resources used in farming without damaging the environment.
• Vertical farming, crop rotation, and organic farming are examples of sustainable agriculture.
• Forestry and logging methods such as clear-cutting, shelterwood, and selective cutting exist.

Fishing, Threats, and Sustainable Development

• Overfishing: Catching fish faster than they can reproduce.
• By-catch: Unintentional capture and killing of other marine life.
• Aquaculture: Breeding and raising fish for consumption.
• Shark finning: Removing and discarding shark fins, harming shark populations.
• Fossil fuel: Natural energy from ancient plants and animals.

Water Sustainability

• Aquifer: Underground layer of water-bearing rock that stores groundwater.
• Aquifers are vital sources of fresh water.

Urban Growth and Sustainability

• High-density, medium-density, and low-density are different types of urban areas.
• Livability includes walkable neighborhoods, access to green spaces, and short commute times.
• Sustainability includes renewable energy use, preserving natural environments, and minimizing transportation impacts.

Human and Global Connections

• Population pyramids show population age structure.
• Expansive pyramids exhibit high birth rates, low life expectancies.
• Stable growth pyramids have relatively even ages groups in the population.
• Declining pyramids indicate low birth rates, high life spans.

Global Connections

• Developed countries have strong economies, advanced infrastructure, high standards of living, and diversified industries.
• Developing countries rely on agriculture, have lower incomes, and limited access to healthcare and education.
• Newly industrializing countries experience rapid industrial growth, improve infrastructure, and focus on exports.